altruistic
adjective
al·tru·is·tic
ˌal-trü-ˈi-stik 
: relating to or given to altruism:
a
: having or showing an unselfish concern for the welfare of others
altruistic acts/motives
a generous and altruistic person
Yet many of the most important institutions in our society—the fine arts, NGOs, humanitarian charities—depend on the generosity of wealthy citizens with altruistic impulses.—
Jonathan Kay
Jonathan Kay
b
: relating to or being behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to the animal itself but that benefits others of its species
The evolutionary theory of kin selection requires that social animals recognize their relatives so that altruistic behavior can be displayed preferentially toward kin.—Science
Science
altruistically
adverb
… one of the first researchers to begin to solve the paradox of how the evolutionary struggle to survive and reproduce could give rise to creatures that never reproduce and spend their lives altruistically helping others to survive.
—Carol Kaesuk Yoon
Carol Kaesuk Yoon
Synonyms
Examples of altruistic in a Sentence
I'm not being altruistic in giving you these books, since I was going to have to lug them with me if you hadn't come along
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2025, thwarted altruistic efforts like Shauna and Lynn’s will accelerate growing skepticism about computing’s service to humanity.
—Coleen M. Carrigan, WIRED, 9 Dec. 2024
An annual membership to a museum with an excellent fashion collection will give them memorable outings as well as that altruistic feeling of supporting some of our important cultural institutions.
—Olivia Pinnock, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
The horrific implicated events occurring behind the convent walls trigger memories of Bill’s past and how altruistic actions of another influenced his life.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Parks Project Yellowstone Geysers Trail High Pile Fleece Parks Project does altruistic swag better than anybody in the game.
—Joanna Solotaroff, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2024
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Coleen M. Carrigan, WIRED, 9 Dec. 2024
An annual membership to a museum with an excellent fashion collection will give them memorable outings as well as that altruistic feeling of supporting some of our important cultural institutions.
—Olivia Pinnock, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
The horrific implicated events occurring behind the convent walls trigger memories of Bill’s past and how altruistic actions of another influenced his life.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Parks Project Yellowstone Geysers Trail High Pile Fleece Parks Project does altruistic swag better than anybody in the game.
—Joanna Solotaroff, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for altruistic
Dictionary Entries Near altruistic
Cite this Entry
“Altruistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altruistic. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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